Russell Crowe: “I’m Very Sorry” For Circumcision Twitter Comments

After causing quite a stir on Twitter Thursday night, dad-of-two Russell Crowe has gone back onto his Twitter account to apologize for the comments he said about circumcision. The Gladiator star wrote: “Circumcision is barbaric and stupid. Who are you to correct nature? Is it real that GOD requires a donation of foreskin? Babies are perfect.”

The Academy Award-winning actor – who is dad to sons Charlie, 7, and Tennyson, 4 – was later accused of anti-Semitism for a Tweet he sent to actor-director Eli Roth: “I love my Jewish friends, I love the apples and the honey and the funny little hats but stop cutting yr babies @eliroth.”
And Eli Tweeted back, “You didn’t seem to be complaining when I was recutting you this afternoon…”

After all the media attention, the 47-year-old Australian actor Tweeted an apology on Friday:

I have a deep and abiding love for all people of all nationalities, I’m very sorry that I have said things on here that have caused distress,” Russell wrote. “My personal beliefs aside I realize that some will interpret this debate as me mocking the rituals and traditions of others. I am very sorry.”

Eli also told TMZ that the Tweets were just “a joking exchange between friends” and that Russell is not anti-Semitic.

Fair enough, maybe all of us who disagree can take a lesson and not attack those who have differing opinions. Furthermore to respect the great blessing that we have simply by being moms; rather than going on cyber tirades referring to those of us who chose this procedure as “barbaric, abusers or ignorant.” It’s tough enough to get to a point where you can feel confident you are doing the best you can in everyday parenting. We can do without the random and unprovoked insults when you genuinely believe you are acting in the best interest
of your child.

Anonymous 692

I agree completely. Well said, but sadly I think you are giving many of the people on this site too much credit. I anticipate that this article too will be filled with antagonistic posts from those who are anti “butchers” so to speak. Glad he apologized though. Must have a movie coming out soon;)

Callie

If I want to call you barbaric for doing something I vehemently oppose I will do it. It’s wrong and anyone that does it should have their child taken away from them. I think his apology is a disgrace.

Anonymous

You are an idiot. Yes you can have an opinion but it does not give you the right to be an ass.

Noa

So you’re saying jews should have their children removed from them?
See that was already done to us in concentration camps, it was also done to us during the pogroms in russia, it was done by the romans, it was done to us by pharaoh in egypt and oddly enough we’re still known to be exceptional parents. When your great grandparents were keeping their kids home to mend crops, we were teaching our children to read 2000 years before everyone else and sending them to school. We were sacrificing everything we own for the sake of our children and their survival and their education, what YOU think is wrong is irrelevant to us and your morality seems to be just as barbaric as that of your ancestors who persecuted jews before you.

Anonymous

open your mind a little.
and grow up, ‘i can do what i wanna do, waa waa waa’

Rachel

Callie, YOU are a fascist. Enjoy your new status.

Anonymous

Tara, you won’t get civility on this site because by nature women are catty, vindictive and petty. Don’t expect miracles here if the other circumcision post stands for anything. I am so tired of the nastiness and am so dissappointed in my gender anymore. I truly hope my daughter breaks this cycle. I do however really appreciate the manner with which you handle yourself on this board though.

Anonymous

It’s not just women, sadly. Or even adults.
The entire internet has become a place for people to anonymously attack everyone (especially celebrities) as a way to feel better about themselves. It’s all about insecurity.

Anonymous

Agree on everything. I found the manner of the other Russell Crowe article so offensive. I am not in favor of circumcision but think that the most disrespectful posts came from those on my view point. There were some like ANNA, SEEN ONE and of course JANNA downright abusive. They should be ashamed of how they handled themselves. I feel sorry for their kids if they have any, nice role models they have.

Janna

I’m not sure why I should be ashamed. I *do* think circumcision is barbaric and unnecessary, and I think that people who elect to mutilate their sons are disgusting.

But hey, that’s just my opinion and clearly I have no right to tell other people what to do. But I do have the right to state my opinion.

Maybe people who slice off part of their sons bodies for no reason get upset because they can’t justify what they’ve done (not to ME but to THEMSELVES). If they were so secure in what they’d done, why would hearing what *I* think be so upsetting?

Anonymous

I am pretty sure Janna is whom the other poster was referring to on the other board about probably being fat, ugly and lazy and never taken seriously in her own life. Thus her need to bully on the Internet because she is a coward,

Question; why is it acceptable for you to weigh the pros and cons for not having a circumcision, however for those of us who chose this procedure because WE TOO researched the best options are less deserving to the same consideration.

When the vaccination time came for my son, I went ahead and asked the important questions. Heard the minuscule horror stories and decided the benefit outweighed the negative. How is that any different from a parent choosing to circumcise. The same excuses are used for both. Vaccinations prevent disease on both an individual and communacable basis and circumcision has proven to be
more hygienic and possibly prevents cancer for an individual.

Where do you find that you have a right to patronize any parent for deciding what is best for their child. What you say is not “upsetting” it is the tone and air of superiority you have with regards to this subject.

Anonymous 611

Good point and it was respectful! Take a cue Janna.

Anonymous@njmommy

Good post Tara. Why is it that you always can make a point without having to resort to name calling and insults. I am not a supporter of circumcision but I really respect the manner in which you handle yourself.This back and forth tit for tat is beyond pathetic.

The vaccination was a good analogy.

Tara

Thank You. It’s obviously a heated subject. I personally get surprised by the disrespectful manner with which women speak to one another on BOTH SIDES. You would think that was left behind in high school. Makes me very dismayed about how our children are being taught by example.

Anonymous

I am the anonymous who stated that many of the “ladies”(I use that term loosely)posting against circumcision should be ashamed. Many of you are extremely disrespectful and have not been able to disprove that the procedure has some value. You dismiss the cancer and health reasons and continue to deride the choice as barbaric. You also insult traditions of religion and culture with such conceited arrogance.
I did not have my son circumcised, by never do I think I am any better a parent or person for this. You should be “ashamed” for the manner with which you conduct yourself not your opinion.

Anonymous@njmommy

Agree. Was so disgusted by the anti circumcision brigade on the other board. They are complete wackjobs whose only motivation was to provoke. The fact remains the MAJORITY of newborns will still have it done and go on to live perfectly normal lives. The Nazis out there will just have to deal. So glad you are proud to have had the procedure for your son. He will be better off in the long run.

Gena

A majority of the WORLD must be wackjobs, then. Silly. My motivation is the right to genital autonomy, boy or girl. Cheers.

Anonymous

How does a circumcision alter any of this? You are reaching my dear. Just like those of us who oppose abortion, it’s a fact that circumcision is a legal right and will be here for centuries to come. You just have to deal with it.

Anonymous

No the wackjobs are those that defend a parent’s right to mutilate their helpless infant. You are so very wrong….sure many still circumcise out of ignorance but as more and more Americans are becoming aware of why the foreskin is there more and more are not circumcising their newborns. In the future it will be rare and hopefully illegal. You have no right to assume that they will be live “perfectly normal lives” because you don’t know that. How dare you say he will be better off in the long run. What an ignorant comment? Go tell that to the countless men out there who are not better off in the long run and who feel their rights where taken away from them. Go ahead please and see what they tell you. Maybe it will shut up your ignorant trap.

Anonymous

It Will never become illegal dear. So you go cry to someone who gives a f*ck.

Anonymous

Oh yes it will. Female circumcision is ilegal in most of the world, right? It’s only logical that one day infant male circumcision (which is the same damn thing) will be one day too. Deal with it. Most of the world knows this is a cruel, barbaric practice and any person with reasonable intelligence and compassion will be against RIC.

Anonymous

WHO Circumcision statistics; as of 2011 it’s estimated 723,500,000 males have been circumcised. This accounts for 42% worldwide. In the USA 79% of male births last year were circumcised, in Canada 52%. So logic being that if men who were the fathers had it done AND felt victimized the numbers would drastically have decreased. In fact it has remained steady since 1990. Do you research before your emotions take over logic anymore.

Of that 79% only .02% resulted in complications. Go to the WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION to confirm this yourself.

Does not appear to be a “dying” trend to me.

Anonymous

6:35….To most circumcised American males being circumcised is all they know and most are deep into the myths surrounding circumsion. They think it’s normal and what is expected. They are so their sons must too. It takes a special man to think outside the box and question if this is really necessary. My husband is circumcised but he was the one that first brought up the topic of not cutting our unborn son. He told me that most of his buddies had been discussing it and they wished that they were just left alone as infants and that they got to experience what it feels like to have a natural penis. No they don’t all feel victimized but many do. As I stated before as knowledge is increasing more parents are questioning the procedure and circumcision rates are going down. That 79% is only in the midwest. In other parts it’s closer to 50. Yes circumcision rates are going down. Even that 79% is much lower than it used to be. Also we are not talking about physical complications. We are talking about emotional and mental complications that arise from RIC.

Anonymous@njmommy

No by your analogy you are saying 79% of boys born in the US were only from the US. I think anonymous is giving national numbers. She did not specify one part of the country. I live in NYC and EVERYONE I know, non Jewish has circumcised their sons. I did not.
Actually 79% is an increase from The 1970s where the CDC states that only 68% were circumcised. I am not in favor of the procedure but everyone has a right to choose. Please if you are making these statements know the facts before you post. Your numbers are off.

Tristan

Thanks for the chuckle my hubby and I were having a wicked argument and I went online. Had to read these posts to hi. About how he must be harboring “latent anger” towards having been violated as an infant. I spit my water all over the keyboard when I read this. He is incredibly amused too, he says he needs to discuss this matter with his platoon tomorrow and see if they need counseling.

Your hope of it being illegal is as fruitless as mine for the reversal of Roe V Wade, guess we will both be frustrated for decades to come. Have a nice night and thanks for the laugh.

Anonymous

Your ignorance is astounding Tristan. Your husband is just one man….ignorant to what was truly done to him as an infant. Most American men are but in more recent years as we are starting to become more educated and aware as to the functions of the foreskin, eyes are starting to open up. Countless of men are starting to become aware of what exactly happened to them as infants as YES many do develop anger and resentment towards their parents. You obviously don’t understand or are compassionate enough to understand since you and your husband think it’s a joke. Laugh all you want, most of the world is on my side and yes, just like female circumcision is illegal, RIC will be illegal one day.

Anonymous

Your ignorance is astounding Tristan. Your husband is just one man….ignorant to what was truly done to him as an infant. Most American men are but in more recent years as we are starting to become more educated and aware as to the functions of the foreskin, eyes are starting to open up. Countless of men are starting to become aware of what exactly happened to them as infants as YES many do develop anger and resentment towards their parents. You obviously don’t understand or are compassionate enough to understand since you and your husband think it’s a joke. Laugh all you want, most of the world is on my side and yes, just like female circumcision is illegal, RIC will be illegal one day.

Alyssia

@Tara, agree. It’s time women started acting like adults on this site. We can agree to disagree( although I am on your side here) without being rude or intolerant. Btw Russell is coming out with this “apology” now because it’s been reported through the release of hospital records that Charlie had a non medically reasoned circumcision. Can you say hypocrite.

Anonymous

You don’t know the whole story so you have no right to call him a hypocrite. Many, many parents regret circumcizing their sons and go on to leave their other son\s intact. It happens. Maybe at the time for whatever reason he choose to do this to his son out of ignorance and maybe his son developed problems due to the circumcision or maybe he simply regretted it and is now speaking out against it.

Anonymous@RichmondVa

Thank God for sanity here. Keep it up Tara. It’s not abuse and it is done with anesthesia. Get real people.

Anonymous

Any hope of a civilized, respectful and mature debate is impossible when you are dealing with a group of people who have their anti butcher agenda. Good intentions though.

Anonymous

Glad he apologized. It was a really stupid comment. Somehow it’s always the easiest to badmouth Jews. I wonder what he would say if he knew muslims have their boys circumcised when they’re 13 – far worse (or should I say painful) than having it done as a baby.

But anyway, while I’m not really pro circumcision, I wouldn’t bash ppl who are, because I understand religion and tradition are important to most ppl. And if parents want to have their baby circumcised at the hospital for sanitary concerns, it’s okay too. I know it’s easy to say and hard to do, but I think everyone should be a little more tolerant to others.

Anonymous

I don’t know the source of your information, but I’m a Muslim and we do it right after birth as well. The misconception is that only Muslims and Jews do it. However, its a very common African tradition and some tribes do it in early teenager years as a form of recognizing puberty. At least this is what I read about Nelson Mandela’s experience in “walk to freedom.”

Evilkanivil

age of 13??? are u muslim?? for you sure dont have a clue about islam. We also circumsie at birth. It is part of Islam that you name the baby, shave off hair if baby has any and give charity according to how much the hair weighed. Also you circumsie your baby if he is a BOY. These things must be done in 7 days (when baby is born).. So get your facts right and dont speak of a religion you obviously dont have a clue about.

Tara

Agree. This is not a religious issue. I am Catholic as are the majority of my friends. All the men are circumcised. The myths about the so called permanent damage and butchery are concocted by those with an agenda.
Sadly you will hear many uniformed judgmental posts about this subject. Read the other article, out of about 100 posts maybe 20% are civil and balanced. Just know that the majority believe it’s a choice done in the best interest of the child. Its worth risking a few moments of discomfort ( that they will never remember) to ensure a better chance at a healthier future. If you don’t want it done, don’t do it but don’t criticize those who support it. It’s called respecting differences.

Anonymous

EXACTLY!!!

Anonymous

I am Catholic too and everyone I know had it done and are living great,painless lives. Where did this sudden claim of abusive procedure come from. Get a life people and mind your own business.

Cece

OMG you are right, people were such bullies on the other article with this same topic. I could not believe how about 90 of the posts were so hateful. Furthermore very misleading. It is up to the PARENT to decide what they feel is right for the child. This whole idea of it being somehow wrong for them to decide matters of health, medical choices is beyond idiotic. CBS should not have let them get away with talking their anger It is a legal, safe procedure that has been proven to significantly reduce bacteria and infection in the men. I am French and it’s not common here but those who say that worldwide many survive fine without it, do not account for that the statistics are skewed based on what each nationality guidelines are for health. European culture does not place as much emphasis on the necessity for hygiene as USA. They believe some bacteria is helpful.Medical is much better in America and anyone who disputes that are
fools. Our hospitals here have much improving to do. My husband wished his parents had it done for him and we plan for our son to get it done. Sorry for my poor English.

Anonymous

His apology is as genuine as a three dollar bill and is totally out of character. His publicist/agent/manager pushed him to do it to salvage his reputation.

Anonymous

I was definitely pro-circumcision until I saw a video of a live procedure and started doing some research. Babies don’t get any anesthetic, nothing. I don’t know many adult males who would walk into a clinic and allow this to happen to them. It does seem a little brutish and gory. Whatever people’s choices or traditions, they are worth questioning. My husband is Jewish and we are not circumcising our boys. So many people are appalled at traditional and religious circumcision of girls and yet we are so quick to do the same to our boys in the name of tradition. I think it’s worth questioning whether that tradition makes sense in our modern world. I do respect other people’s decisions and I realize it’s a personal matter. I’m putting this out there b/c I honestly never considered an alternative to circumcising. It was just what one was supposed to do. I’m glad I got a chance to think about things before having a boy instead of potentially regretting things after.

Noa

“Babies don’t get any anesthetic, nothing.”

False. In our day and age, there is NO mohel that will perform a brit mila without a topical (cream) anesthetic. Mohels today also require that a pediatrician “ok” the procedure before hand and a battery of tests and blood-work is done to make sure the procedure can be done safely. Any person that deals with a mohel that doesn’t require the above, should question his competence as it is no longer the “norm” to just circumcise with a drop of wine or orange water for soothing.

“So many people are appalled at traditional and religious circumcision of girls and yet we are so quick to do the same to our boys in the name of tradition. ”
Again, an erroneous assumption to believe female excision and circumcision are the “same” thing. They are not. Female excision is a clitoridectomy (partial or total removal of the clitoris), can also include excision of the labia and ALSO may include infibulation. All three procedures make sex (and child birth) extremely painful for a woman. All three procedures can have serious medical ramifications (even when performed in a sanitized environment by professionals). This is not so with male circumcision. Comparing the two greatly diminishes the horrors many african women are subject to when excised.

“in the name of tradition”
While I can completely understand that you might question the moral validity of jewish tradition, the fact remains the debate is simply silly. For observant jews, morality is defined by our religion and we have a whole code of law that codifies the procedures and implications. When you live by these rules, it becomes immoral to NOT circumcise your child, just as it would be immoral to eat non kosher, marry a non jew, violate shabbat, cremation etc (to be brief a whole bunch of things non jews and non observant jews wish to criticize). However, after 4000 years of having sometimes a few, and sometimes all of things criticized, of being tortured , killed or persecuted for our beliefs, I believe observant jews can just as safely say that societies that oppose circumcision, throughout history have not been proven to be more moral (since they attempted our destruction, Rome, the church/inquisition/pogroms/ the nazis) then our own and that since we are still here, maintaining these traditions is possibly what has permitted our survival as a cultural group. I’d also like to add, that it is not a “tradition” to circumcise it is a commandment, a law in judaism. Tradition is when I eat rice on passover and some jews do not because of the tradition not to, it is not “law”. Tradition is how sephardi jews tie they’re prayer shawls differently then ashkenazi jews yet the “law” is to wear this shawl regardless. Circumcision is not a optional tradition in judaism it is a law that applies to those considered jewish “by law” (born to a jewish mother, or converted). You , as a non jew, have absolutely no obligation to circumcise your children according to jewish law.

Anonymous

Okay, points taken. I think for people who are seriously religious, this is obviously a sensitive issue and I can respect that. As for pain relief, I was referring to hospital circumcisions actually where many doctors still don’t use anesthetic routinely, though recently the AAP has begun to recommend the use of pain relief measures (note: it is not required at all). It’s important for parents to remember to request it in case their doctor is old school!! As a side note, I was horrified to learn in one of my classes that it was traditionally believed that infants didn’t feel any pain so many surgeries were commonly performed without any anesthesia(!). I’m talking babies being cut open without pain relief. But I digress. In any case, I respect how important your religion is to you, and it is your choice. For me personally, since I couldn’t even stomach the video, I can’t imagine being able to be in the same room when that was happening to my son. So that gave me the answer I was looking for.

Chleo

Noa you have no need to defend your position. What bothers me is this assumption that it is done merely for religious purposes. As the other poster Tara has said, I too am Christian and my religion does not dictate that I follow this tradition. I choose to have it done to my sons after weighing the pros and cons. I find those that call it barbaric to be hypocrites. They most likely believe in freedom of choice for “other” issues, yet deny a mother the right to act in a way she feels is best for her son.

Anonymous

Good for you for “weighing the pros and cons.” For many, it is an automatic decision. Having a son = having a circumcision. But it’s awesome that you gave this some thought and then made a decision. And no one is saying it is merely done for religious purposes. In any case, I certainly was not. Most of the people in this country who circumcise their sons are not in fact Jewish. And no one is denying a mother anything since this practice is perfectly legal and common place. I think this debate is about why this procedure is so commonplace in the U.S. and getting people to really think about it before making the decision for their sons. The AAP and other medical organizations have recently released statements that the supposed benefits of circumcision are not significant enough for it to be recommended as a routine procedure. Yet for so many of the mamas I know, there wasn’t even a question about whether they would do it or not to their boys. It’s just what one is supposed to do or what is normal/expected. Maybe this is changing now which I think is a good thing. It’s an important issue (just like the “other” issues you mentioned) that should not be taken lightly.

Tanya

So in addition to the circumcision, the baby also needs to go through “a battery of tests and blood work” to have the procedure approved?

It just sounds invasive and aggressive act to me. I know it is part of Jewish culture, and part of my family is Jewish, so I can understand how it is tradition, but I don’t understand why it is still necessary to do it in this day and age. There are many Jews who are questioning the validity of circumcision as well. Just do an online search and you will see how many Jews are against it.

People may say it doesn’t do any damage to the baby, and that circumcised men grow up without any lasting problems, but since the baby can’t speak for itself, it seems wrong to assume the procedure had no impact. If you are going to do it, I think it would be better to have it done at 13 years old when the young man has a say in the matter.

Cutting or marking an infant in any way other than circumcision would be considered child abuse… however we have come to accept the cutting of the foreskin off of male babies as normal. If someone wanted to remove an equivalent portion of skin from the genitalia of a female infant in the United States, they would be looked at as barbaric.

I believe it is good to question traditions and practices that are no longer relevant to our health and well being.

Anonymous

When we lived in Hong Kong our doctor told us that there was no medical
reason to circumcise a baby boy and that it was a barbaric practice.
My husband did not care and we decided against it. Most countries in Europe
do not do it and neither does Asia or Australia. Why inflict such pain for no
reason? I could understand that it is Jewish tradition, but we are not Jewish.

Cabos

I think everything was ok until he mentioned the word Jews. If he would’ve simply shared his opinion on the subject WITHOUT dropping names or religions the issue wouldn’t have been as big as it turned. At least that’s how i see it.

Anonymous

Good point, but this guy is a boorish caveman and his one of a kind moral compass permits him to say and do as he pleases.

AnonymousA

Writing to a jewish friend and expressing his opinion doesn’t mean that he, by doing so, excludes all other people from doing just as wrong. Its the act he’s against.

Lola

The difference between female and male circumcision is intent. For males, it was about keeping clean. Maybe in today’s society, this isn’t a concern. For females, it was about taking away a female’s ability to enjoy sex. One was about hygiene (and in some places this is still a concern), the other was about oppression. Support male circumcision or not, but pretending it’s the same as female circumsision is naive.

I think Russell is heading down the Mel Gibson path. He’s always had erratic behavior and a drinking problem. As he ages, he starts becoming more erratic as the mental illness goes without treatment. Give him ten years and he’ll be our new Mel.

Anonymous 23

“The difference between female and male circumcision is intent. For males, it was about keeping clean. Maybe in today’s society, this isn’t a concern. For females, it was about taking away a female’s ability to enjoy sex. One was about hygiene (and in some places this is still a concern), the other was about oppression. Support male circumcision or not, but pretending it’s the same as female circumsision is naive.”

Thank God someone else said this. Female circumcision is about control and subjugation and is indeed abuse as its sole intention is there to maintain the “purity” of her virginity until her “husband” takes it away. Whereas male circumcision was/is SOLELY for the beneficial health reasons for the boy. It’s madness to even attempt to lump the two together.

Tanya

“Whereas male circumcision was/is SOLELY for the beneficial health reasons for the boy. It’s madness to even attempt to lump the two together.”

It’s not “madness” to lump the two together. They both involve cutting the genitals of children, whatever the intent.

In this day and age circumcision is not necessary for health reasons. It’s done because it’s tradition.

Tara

This contention that it’s performed for “tradition” sake is archaic and furthermore it implies that the mothers who allow it to be done are nothing more than blind sheep. Today’s mothers are privy to much more information than our parents and grandparents and to lump it together by saying there are no health reasons is patronizing. I am catholic and educated and did research what was best for my son. I was not bound by the Torah nor even family, since I have none living. After investigating the rates of cancer and hygienic studies , having the circumcision performed was a no brainer. It was performed the day he was born, he had topical anesthetic and was given to me directly after. Aside from a few moments of tears there was no signs of torture on his face and within a few hours he was fine. Fast forward two years later and he shows no signs of ill affects. I think we all have a choice here and should not be condemned for making it.
I appreciate the tone of your post though it was much more balanced than many previous one’s.

Tina

It’s true. To trivialize it as being motivated by tradition merely makes the millions of women look like they acted on a whim without any consideration. Very condescending.

Anonymous

He’s always been an idiot, I don’t know why anyone is surprised he’s also anti-Semitic as well. As for everyone complaining here – you realize that if a Jewish male isn’t circumcised, he’s not really Jewish in the eyes of his God? And that he is barred from heaven? Think what you want but stay out of other people’s business. They’re not your sons and they never will be, and it’s not you who ends up cast out from your community if it doesn’t happen. Besides, newsflash, infants don’t remember the “barbaric” procedure and it doesn’t affect their health. I’m not even Jewish and I get it, it’s not a difficult concept.

Evilkanivil

The reason to why Muslims and Jews circumcise is for health reasons. It is a proven fact that circumcised men have a less chance of developing diseases compared to the men who have not been.

Noa

No the reason to why jews circumcise is because it says in the Torah that our children must be circumcised. Health reasons are not the issue as they are not with the issue of Kashrut (kosher food). Else today, these laws could be dropped since we have fridges and soap and running water to clean foreskins lol. I can understand that people might think we’re idiots to believe in the Torah but like I said above, after 4000 years and all the odds against us still being here (when the egyptians, greeks, romans, assyriens etc are gone), we believe that our lifestyles have contributed to our survival and will continue to do so regardless of how secular society perceives us.

Tara

Why do you need to justify yourself. It’s your rights, your tradition, your freedom To choose. The ignorance and cultural arrogance on this board astounds me. For many of us it’s not religious purposes that compel it, it is for various reasons from EDUCATED health decisions to secular cultural history.
You are not subjecting your child to repeat abuse- I feel very sorry that individuals feel the need to impose their agenda on other parents. They should just respect your rights. Thanks for the clarification on Jewish rituals as well.

Anonymous

Totally agree

Nynaeve

And this is why religion is bullsh*t.

Anna

He shouldn’t have apologized because he was right. There is no reason at all for cutting parts of your baby. A baby is born whole. If god didn’t want the foreskin to be there he wouldn’t have created babies with it.

Also the health reasons are non existent, because all men in Europe, Australia, Asia etc are fine with it.

Anonymous

Give it up Anna no one cared what you said on the other post. Get the message!

Anonymous23

“Also the health reasons are non existent, because all men in Europe, Australia, Asia etc are fine with it.”

I am assuming by this statement that you have gone and analyzed all the government health records for the 192 democratic countries and 45 countries with no recognized rule. From that researched you have been able to dissect, without bias, the affects and counter affects of said procedure. If not you have no authority nor basis to make this ignorant claim. Gathering information from an organization with a specific agenda is not sufficient premise for your findings. Please provide all appropriate links detailing each country mentioned to back your claims.
thank you

Janna

Why don’t YOU provide links to the appropriate studies showing how men in Europe (etc) are more prone to health risks, hygiene problems and cancer because they aren’t circumcised? If there were true, non-biased, repeatable studies done showing with certainty that circumcision was recommended for any of these reasons, I’d be totally on-board. As it stands, there aren’t.

Anon

You do realize as a poster you are extremely disliked and not one person respects your opinion. Check out the other Russell board. You are boorish a bully and ignorant. So anything you write is disregarded.

Anonymommy

” If there were true, non-biased, repeatable studies done showing with certainty that circumcision was recommended for any of these reasons, I’d be totally on-board. As it stands, there aren’t”

YOU provide the details for this, shut up unless you can you cow!

Anonymous

As a Jew, I’m glad when this topic comes up. There isn’t a significant health benefit to modern circumcision, if any at all. It does, however, cause a lot of emotional distress for many young men. So we have something that, by and large, can cause more harm than good, and I have to wonder why. Perhaps because the circumcision seen today is not even the circumcision of the ancient Hebrews? Just research brit milah vs brit peri’ah. Many of us having our baby boys circumcised for religious reasons ARE causing them unnecessary pain – right away, and often even in adulthood. G-d called for Hebrew boys to be set apart for him with a small, noninvasive cut. He never wanted boys to loose 2/3 of penile sensation after having their foreskins forcefully retracted. The foreskin is there for many reasons, G-d didn’t make a mistake in its creation. We should consider that *we* are making a big mistake in amputating it.

Anonymous

First of all, yes it can cause medical issues. My uncle had to be circumcized as an adult due to chronic infections. My husband’s friend had two sons who also had chronic infections. Perhaps it’s not as common in this day and age, but it can happen. As for adult men being emotionally distressed because they were circumcized. Bull. My husband was circumcized as an infant and he has repeatedly said that he was glad his mom made that decision.

Anonymous

Your husband is just one man. There are countless of men who do feel like they were violated and mutilated especially after learning about the functions of the foreskin. Most men who say they don’t care they were circumcised are either in denial or don’t realize the damage that was done to them as helpless babies. Your husband obviously doesn’t completely understand what was done to him if he is thankfull to his mom.

Tina

“Most men who say they don’t care they were circumcised are either in denial or don’t realize the damage that was done to them as helpless babies. Your husband obviously doesn’t completely understand what was done to him if he is thankfull to his mom.”

I cannot stop laughing about this statement. I just picture these men sitting in a support group discussing feelings about their lost foreskin. Give me a break! It’s so symptomatic of this “poor put upon society mentality”. I think most men would laugh in your face if you asked them if they felt slighted. Ha.

Anonymous

Lol, my husband,my three brothers, two brother in laws, my father and two sons just broke into hysterics with your assessment that I read to them. Go back to your psychology books and try another. Too Funny thanks for the giggles.

Anony

I know!! I read that and was like is she serious. Has she polled the 730,000,000 men worldwide who are currently circumcised? Even if she claims 1% are traumatized that would mean that we have 7.3 million men distressed about losing foreskin. A bit a stretch to say the least. This is one of the weaker arguments on this board.

ZaraB

I found Russell Crowe’s comments about his supposed Jewish friends ignorant and offensive, however I do agree with his sentiments about circumcision. Living in Australia, where the arguments about the supposed health benefits of circumcision have long been de-bunked, I’ve been quite staggered to read some of the ill-informed and uneducated comments by those in favour of the practice. How is it that millions of men in Europe, Latin America, Asia and Australia have managed to stay healthy with intact foreskins if they pose such a strong health danger? I couldn’t believe I even read a comment on the previous thread from a supposed nurse who claimed that the foreskin had no purpose! Having witnessed a bris myself, I have no doubt that the procedure is extremely painful for the child, even when a topical anaesthetic is used. In any case, it’s a decision that every boy has a right to make for himself, not one that should be made for him, when it is an irreversible procedure.

Anonymous

that was a fake appology, he’s still a closed-minded jerk. he’s trying keep the few fans he has.

AnonymousA

How was his comment to Eli Roth anti-semitic?
I think its interesting how the view of “criticizing” muslims and jews differ in the western world.
The topic doesn’t even revolve specifically around jews, nor did he specify his opinion to jews.

It is only expected of him to be more personal and relevant when speaking to a jew. The apples, honey and kippas was not anti-semitic, even if he would have said to not likes those traditions. It’s like saying that one is anti-american/mexican if one doesn’t like Halloween.
He aslo said that he loved his jewish friends, did you not see that part?

However, I do think that he was offensive with his first comment based on the words he used, and by the lack of respect and understanding for
other peoples beliefs/traditions/reasons. But being against circumcision doesn’t make him anti-anything but circumcision.

AnonymousA

” … anti OF anything but …”

Anonymous

He should have apologized for the anti-semite comment but not for the circumcision comment. Circumcision IS stupid and barbaric and he shouldn’t have apologized for speaking up for innocent baby boys.

Anonymous

Has anyone else noticed that the same tone of the ANTI circumcision posts all read the exact same message by the same ANONYMOUS. It’s so transparently obvious. Get a life fools.

Anony

It’s true it’s the same nut anonymous who is STILL ranting on the original Russell Crowe piece. She sure likes to listen to or read herself.

Nynaeve

I will never understand why it is acceptable to mutilate the genitals of boys, while most people find the female circumcision pactices performed in other countries to be horrific. BOTH are horrific.

My son was circumcised, because my doctor told me that most boys are and it is healthier. I knew the moment I heard my son screaming his heart out that it was WRONG. I heard him scream and gag and choke for 15 solid minutes, and I never cried so hard or hated myself so much in my life. He had complications (meatal stenosis and two skin bridges – feel free to Google) and required a surgery when he was 3 to repair these things. There are frequently complications from circumcision, most commonly nerve damage and loss of sensation which can completely destroy an intimate relationship in adulthood.

When people cite religion as a legitimate reason to do this, I cringe. Terrorists cite religion as a legitimate reason to commit the mass murders of 9/11. Do we apologize for calling them murderers because we might offend other terrorists and their religious beliefs? NO! Why is mutilating a newborn child any different? Clue…it isn’t.

Babies are born perfect. Leave them that way.

ZaraB

Thanks for sharing your story Nynaeve, and I’m so sorry to hear about what happened to your son. I hope others might learn something from your post. I agree – why do we use the term Female Genital Mutilation when we’re talking about what happens to countless baby girls around the world, yet refuse to acknowledge that removing a boy’s foreskin without consent is also a form of mutilation (maybe not always with the same devastating consequences, but with consequences nonetheless)?

Anony

I think it’s horrible when procedures have complications. But for every unfortunate misstep their are 12,000,000 successes in regards to circumcision statistics. Last year only 122 cases were reported in the USA, these included the slightest things such as excessive bleeding to the rare of stenosis ( not ONE DEATH), out of 9,230,456 boys born in the US from 2007-2010. Every operation has risks, kids die from simple things like getting tonsils out, which is also elective. Of course no one wants their child to be that one horrific case, but you cannot use the chance of problems as a reason for banning something that has been proven to be medical advantageous with regards to reducing infections and certain cancers.
It is the same philosophy with vaccinations. The risks of complications are less than .02% yet people use that exception NOT rule as a yardstick for not getting it done.
Furthermore female circumcision is entirely different than male and for purposes far more culturally biased.
If a mother feels having her son circumcised is the best course of action it should be allowed. 730,000,000 and counting cannot be wrong.

Anonymous 611

Very well said.

Janna

Nynaeve… I feel your pain and I hope that your son heals completely.

I’m sure that one of the reasons I’m so adamantly against circumcision is that my nephew had some of the same complications as your son. My sister and brother-in-law live with guilt every day, wondering why they ever allowed it. It’s heart-wrenching to see.

And for what purpose?

Lioness

It was a joke between friends… if it didn’t bother Eli, why does it bother anyone else? People are too sensitive. Circumcision is one’s own decision- I personally would not circumcise my son, but I have absolutely nothing against anyone who does. Everyone needs to relax, this world would be a lot more fun if everyone didn’t take everything so damn personally.

Rachel

Who in hell is HE to dictate what a parent decides for their child? And the Federal government has NO business taking on the power to control this much of our lives. It’s FASCISM.